The Aghori sadhus of Varanasi are holy priests who renounced all worldly possessions in exchange for the higher spiritual benefits of life. These ascetic Shaiva sadhus practice ascetic rituals like cremation, eating of human flesh, cremation of bodies, meditation on corpses, mummification, wearing of skulls as spiritual and bodily tools, and eating cow-dung cakes. They believe that these rites preserve and purify them from the cycle of death and rebirth.
The term ‘Aghori’ refers to Hindu sadhus. However, the term ‘Sadhana’ describes a class of Hindu saints. The sadhus belong to three castes: Sattva Sadhana, Vaishya Sadhana, and Ajya Sadhana. According to Hindushastra, all the aghoris are immortal and enjoy unlimited power and bliss. However, the power of Aghori is restricted and is not as strong as that of arahants.
Although the aghori sadhus of Varanasi observe many ritualistic rituals, they are not addicted to any particular philosophy. In fact, many of them are not even of Hinduism. Their primary beliefs are that God is omnipresent and that He is almighty and omniscient. They do not believe in any form of worship or prayer. Their sole focus is on the divine and Oneness.
The sadhus of Varanasi prefer to live a simple life. They do not entertain guests, do not entertain the sick and the aged and avoid giving any donation to temples or any religious or social organization in Varanasi. The ascetic sadhus neither lead a separate life nor do they have a family. They do not even write their name on the doors of their house. So much so that when they move from their mundane to the cemetery, it is customary for a small priest to bless them and wish them a happy life.
The ascetic aghori sadhus of Varanasi believe in cannibalism. There is a theory that bodhisattvas must feed on the blood of animals to keep themselves alive in heaven. Though this concept sounds ghastly to modern ears, it is believed by the aghori sadhus of Varanasi that a human being can also consume the blood and energy of an animal if he or she is in a condition of ritualistic fasting. In the kundan of Varanasi, the body of a deceased boy is kept in a wooden vessel which is later used to make the sacred ash bowl.
The Aghori of Varanasi customarily fasts on the funeral day of a departed devotee and consumes a large quantity of the animal blood and milk. This practice has been in existence since centuries in India. Today it is known as ‘animism’. The ascetics believe that indulging in the eating custom on the funeral day of a guru will ensure an easy passage to heaven.
The Aghori sadhus of Varanasi believe that a departed soul enters the heavens when it reaches the top of the mountain. They believe that spirits come to earth as newborn babies called name, which later transform into adults. If a baby sins repeatedly at its birth, it is believed to be trapped in a bad kundalini coil. In order to break free from the coils, the soul should visit the Aghori sadhus of Varanasi who can sacrifice an animal and drink its milk.
One of the most important aghori customs practiced by the aghori sadhus of Varanasi is the custom of offering garlands and obeying the darshan, or custom of performing the final dip before leaving the holy land. The Varanasi area is visited and blessed by thousands of devotees every day. To devotees of the aghori path, Varanasi is the ‘point of entry’ into the Hindu realm. It is believed by these sadhus that Lord Krishna was born in Varanasi and attained Nirvana here.